Gimp 2 for Photographers: Image Editing with Open Source Software

Reviewed by Wayne LeFevre

What They Say

Image editing has become a key element in the photographic workflow. Image editing tools, most notably Photoshop, are usually sophisticated and deep applications - and are fairly expensive. The only open source tool in this market is the GIMP, which has developed into a powerful, multi–platform system running on Linux, as well as OS X and Windows. This book has evolved from the classroom materials which the author developed and taught in courses and workshops on image editing with the GIMP.

It covers the basics of image editing and guides the reader through the functions and tools of the GIMP from simple adjustments to more advanced techniques of working with layers and masks. The more important editing functions are presented in individual workshops. Moreover, the book covers the stitching of panoramic images and preparation of high-quality black and white images.

In GIMP 2 for Photographers you will learn:

1.     The basics of image editing.

2.     The many functions and tools of the GIMP.

3.     How to make simple adjustments.

4.     Working with advanced techniques.

5.     How to work with layers and masks.

6.     Stitching of panoramic images.

7.     Preparation of high–quality black and white images.

What I Say

Last month I gave a glowing review for the Ubuntu Linux for Non-Geeks. Using the book made is so easy to install and make your way around the free OS. It was as much a kudos to the Operating System as it was to the book. One of the programs that comes pre–installed on the Ubuntu distribution is GIMP.

GIMP 2

GIMP is an acronym for GNU Image Manipulation Program. It started in the Linux world and is an Opened Source free image editing program. It is touted as the Photoshop of the Linux world. GNU, meaning GNU’s Not Unix, and refers to a collection of software based on the Unix OX. Being that GIMP is a free and Open Sourced, it can be difficult to find good tutorials on the app, unlike Photoshop, that has a plethora of video and books on the subject.

Now comes Gimp 2 for Photographers from a fairly new publisher named Rocky Nook, based in California and is closely associated with dpunkt.verlag in Germany. Being focused on mainly on Digital Photography, their books are, so far, few. But if this book is any indication, they will become a major force in the photography field. It’s a quality, well put together book full of quality color photos and tutorials.

The nice thing is this book is not meant to be a reference guide, but more of a tutorial that guides you step by step using GIMP and editing your photos like you want. Learn by actually doing and using the examples provided on the CD instead of getting a detailed explanation of every button in the application. (Though, you do find out eventually.)

Instead of starting right out in how to install GIMP, it starts you learning about GIMP and an introduction to Digital Image Editing. After you find out what the differences are in image formats, loading photos and managing them, even explaining RAW Images, then it gets to installing GIMP. So right away, you know that this book doesn’t just focus on the mechanics of the program, but the hows and whys. Everything needed to install GIMP is also included on the CD for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. Windows and the Mac need runtime environments that will need to be installed first. Mac will need X11 on your installation CD.

After going through the install process, you learn the tools and start editing. As an aside, a red-eye tool would sure be a boon to GIMP. As they say in the book, though, GIMP is not a replacement for Photoshop. Photoshop offers features that are not yet available on the GIMP. You may also find that GIMP 2 has been made to look more like Windows, and the book seems to have used the Windows version. It guides you through everything from cropping, to a section on just working with scanned images. A little touch up work that goes well beyond iPhoto, to just freshening up a “Dull Sky”.

Conclusion
I found this book incredibly informative. Though I have GIMP installed on my Linux machine, I’ve never really used it before I received GIMP 2 for Photographers. The main advantage of this book is that not only did I learn how to use GIMP, but I actually started learning about real photo editing. I know that sounds a little funny, but even if you don’t use GIMP, and you need to learn about image editing in general than this is a great book. I now find myself comfortable with layers, masks, lighting and more. It just so happens that GIMP is the editor of choice, but not necessity.

The CD includes all formats of the GIMP installations, all the photos for the tutorials, and even includes a PDF of the book for quick reference. I don’t think you can go wrong with this one!

Author Klaus Goelker is an architect and photographer who lives and works in Munich, Germany. He also teaches courses on image editing at a local art school. He uses the GIMP to this class because it is free and yet powerful enough to do serious photographic image editing. This beginner’s guide to the GIMP has evolved from the classroom materials the author developed and used in courses and workshops on image editing.